How to Reset the Supermicro IPMI Default Password 🔐

Managing a Supermicro server becomes significantly easier when you can access its IPMI interface. But what happens when the Supermicro IPMI default password doesn't work, or you need to reset it remotely? Whether you're troubleshooting a Supermicro IPMI login issue, dealing with forgotten credentials, or preparing a system for new users, this comprehensive guide walks you through everything about resetting the Supermicro IPMI default password.

Quick answer: it depends on when your board shipped. On older Supermicro systems, the IPMI default login is ADMIN / ADMIN. Newer systems still use ADMIN as the username, but the password is a unique string printed on a sticker on the server.

Most "Supermicro IPMI default password not working" tickets come down to this one change. Someone reads an old forum post, types ADMIN twice, and gets locked out. The rest of this guide covers where to find the password, how to reset it if it's lost, and the fixes for the login errors people hit most often.

🔐 What Is the Supermicro IPMI Default Password and Username?

By default, most older Supermicro servers ship with the following IPMI login credentials:

• Default Username: ADMIN
• Default Password: ADMIN

These values are case-sensitive, and they are used for both Supermicro BMC default login and Supermicro IPMI default login.

Older Supermicro systems

Boards that shipped before late 2019 use ADMIN / ADMIN out of the box. (The ADMIN user is case-sensitive, so type it in capitals.) If you're running an older X9 or early X10 box that was never reconfigured, those credentials should still work.

Newer systems with a unique BMC password

Starting in November 2019, Supermicro stopped using "ADMIN" as the default password on new X10, X11, H11, H12 and later-generation products. Each baseboard management controller now ships with a unique pre-programmed password for the ADMIN user. It's more secure, but it also means guessing won't get you in.

Supermicro IPMI Default IP Address

Before resetting the Supermicro IPMI default password, it's important to connect to your server's IPMI web interface. Typically, Supermicro assigns a default IP to the IPMI interface:

• Default IP: 192.168.1.100

You can access it by plugging an Ethernet cable into the dedicated IPMI LAN port, then connecting to it through a browser on the same network. If the BMC isn't reachable at the expected IP, run ipmicfg -m to see the current IP and MAC, and check whether the BMC is using the dedicated management LAN port or sharing a LAN port with the host.

🔍 Where to Find the Supermicro BMC Password Sticker

The unique password is printed on a label. Depending on the chassis, you'll find it in one or more of these places:

• Pull-out service tag on the front of the chassis. On rackmount units, this is usually the fastest one to check.
• Chassis label on the top or side panel.
• Motherboard label, often near the BMC chip or the serial number area.
• CPU socket cover on some platforms. Check it before you throw the cover away.

Bought the server used, or inherited it from another admin? Then the sticker password may no longer be valid, because someone could have changed it. And you can't work the original password out from the serial number. At that point you need one of the reset methods below.

⚠️ When the Supermicro IPMI Default Password Doesn't Work

If you're getting errors like "login failed" even when using ADMIN / ADMIN, there could be several reasons:

• The password was changed by another administrator.
• The IPMI firmware was updated or reset.
• Security settings locked the account due to too many failed attempts.
• The server was pre-owned and the previous password wasn't reset.
• Your board shipped after November 2019 and uses a unique sticker password.

In such cases, follow the next steps to reset the Supermicro IPMI password to default or change it remotely.

Before You Reset: Decide Which Method You Need

There are three different jobs here. You might be changing a password you already know, resetting one you've lost, or wiping the whole BMC back to factory defaults. They're not the same, so pick your method based on what access you still have:

What a Factory Reset Erases

Before you run a full reset, write down your current configuration. A factory default reset can wipe:

• Every user account except the default ADMIN
• IP addressing, the subnet, the gateway and VLAN tags (older firmware is especially known for this)
• Alerts, SNMP and email notifications
• Access control rules and any other remote management customizations

One more catch. On boards with unique passwords, a factory reset takes you back to the sticker password, not ADMIN. So you still need that label.

🌐 How to Reset the Supermicro IPMI Password via Web Interface

If you're still able to access your Supermicro IPMI through the web interface, this is the simplest method for resetting the Supermicro IPMI default password. Whether you're enhancing security or recovering from a compromised login, using the web interface is straightforward and effective.

Steps:

1. Log into the Supermicro IPMI web interface using your current admin credentials. Typically, the default Supermicro IPMI login is username: ADMIN and password: ADMIN.
2. From the dashboard, navigate to Configuration > Users. On newer firmware, this lives under Configuration > Account Services.
3. You'll see a list of user accounts. Select the administrator account—usually named ADMIN or another user with admin privileges.
4. Click on Edit or Modify User to access the password field.
5. Enter your new desired password twice. Make sure it's strong and unique.
6. Click Save to apply the changes. Log out and log back in to confirm it works.

This method is ideal for Supermicro IPMI password reset tasks when access hasn't been lost yet. It's also useful if you're rotating credentials regularly or need to update access after an employee change.

Tip: If you're using a newer Supermicro board, the Supermicro BMC default login interface might slightly vary. Still, most follow this general layout. Menu labels change between firmware versions and board generations, so don't worry if yours looks slightly different.

🛠️ How to Reset Supermicro IPMI Password Remotely Using IPMICFG

If you can't access the web interface but need to perform a Supermicro IPMI password reset remotely, Supermicro provides a robust utility called IPMICFG. This tool works across Windows, Linux, FreeDOS, and UEFI environments. It talks to the BMC directly from the host, so it doesn't need a network login. Download it from the Supermicro download center. The package includes Windows, Linux, DOS and UEFI builds. IPMIView, the companion tool for finding and managing BMCs, is on the same page.

1. Download IPMICFG

Start by downloading IPMICFG from Supermicro's official website. Ensure you pick the correct version for your operating system. This utility allows both local and remote Supermicro IPMI password reset.

2. Run IPMICFG

Once downloaded, run the command-line tool. You can do this from:

• A FreeDOS bootable USB
• A local command prompt
• A remote SSH connection (if available)

List BMC users

ipmicfg -user list

Find the ADMIN user's ID. It's usually 2.

Set a new password

ipmicfg -user setpwd 2 NewStr0ngPassw0rd

This changes only the password and leaves the rest of the configuration alone. On Linux the binary might be called IPMICFG-Linux.x86_64, and on Windows IPMICFG-Win.exe. The syntax is the same for both.

Reset the BMC to factory defaults

ipmicfg -fd

The BMC reboots after this. Give it a minute or two before you try to log in, and don't send other IPMICFG commands while it's reinitializing. Remember that this resets the network settings too. Plan for that if you're working remotely.

This method is excellent for resetting the Supermicro IPMI password remotely when you can't use a GUI but still have low-level access to the system. It's particularly useful in headless server environments or when troubleshooting from off-site.

🐧 How to Reset Supermicro IPMI Password from Linux Shell (ipmitool)

If you're running Linux and have root access, ipmitool is often already installed or one package away. Load the kernel modules first if you need to:

modprobe ipmi_devintf
modprobe ipmi_si
ipmitool user list 1
ipmitool user set password 2 YOURNEWPASSWORD

The 1 is the LAN channel and the 2 is the user ID. Check both against what user list shows you. This changes the password without wiping other BMC settings. Running it locally on the host works far more reliably than running it over the network with -I lanplus. For remote runs you'd need working credentials anyway, which is the thing you've lost. This method is ideal for users who want to reset a Supermicro IPMI password from the BIOS or command-line environments.

🔧 How to Reset Supermicro IPMI Username and Password to Default via BIOS

When you've lost access to both web and remote tools—or if you want to completely clear all IPMI settings—the BIOS offers a surefire way to perform a Supermicro IPMI reset to factory default.

This method of resetting the Supermicro IPMI default password is best suited for cases where:

• The default Supermicro IPMI password doesn't work.
• You're repurposing the server for another user or organization.
• You want to return to the Supermicro default login (ADMIN / ADMIN on older boards, or the sticker password on newer ones).

Instructions:

1. Reboot your system and press DEL or F2 to enter the BIOS setup screen.
2. Navigate to IPMI Configuration or IPMI > BMC Network Configuration.
3. Select the option Restore to Factory Defaults or Reset BMC to Factory Settings (sometimes labeled "Update IPMI LAN Configuration" or "Restore BMC defaults" — the wording depends on the board).
4. Confirm your selection and exit the BIOS.
5. The system will reboot, and IPMI settings—including the Supermicro IPMI default username and password—will be reset.

⚠️ Caution: This method resets more than just login credentials. It restores all IPMI settings, including networking information and user lists. Only use this if you're prepared to reconfigure everything. The one advantage is that you can re-enter the IP settings in the same BIOS screen before you leave it.

After a BIOS-level reset on an older board, the Supermicro BMC default password becomes active again. Try logging in with:

• Username: ADMIN
• Password: ADMIN

How to Reset IPMI Password Supermicro Using a Jumper on the Motherboard

Some Supermicro boards allow hardware-based reset using a jumper. Some also have a jumper that enables or disables the BMC, which is easy to mix up with the reset one. Jumper names and positions vary between models, so check your motherboard manual before you touch anything.

1. Power off the server and unplug the PSUs.
2. Ground yourself, then locate the JBR1 jumper (or the equivalent on your board — consult the motherboard manual).
3. Short the jumper for 10 seconds.
4. Power on the system.

This forces a Supermicro BMC reset to default, including the default password. I'd treat this as the last resort, after IPMICFG and BIOS have both failed.

🧰 Troubleshooting Supermicro IPMI Login Failures

There are cases where even after resetting the Supermicro IPMI default password, login attempts may fail. Here's what you can do.

ADMIN / ADMIN doesn't work

Your board probably shipped after November 2019. Check the sticker. If the sticker password fails as well, someone changed it, so move on to IPMICFG or ipmitool.

The web session logs out immediately

Clear your cookies, try a private window, or switch browsers. A web session timeout setting can also cause instant logouts on some firmware. You can adjust it with IPMICFG or check it after a firmware update.

The BMC isn't reachable at the expected IP

Run ipmicfg -m to see the current IP and MAC. Check whether the BMC is using the dedicated management LAN port or sharing a LAN port with the host (failover mode picks one when it boots). Also confirm your workstation is on the same subnet or VLAN.

The password works in SSH but not in the web GUI

Some firmware limits password length or special characters differently in different interfaces. Try a password using only letters and numbers, then change it back to something stronger once you're in.

Other Common Fixes

• Try different default combinations: Some systems use variations such as admin/admin, root/password, or even blank passwords.
• Check the default IPMI address: Usually, the default Supermicro IPMI IP is 192.168.1.100. You can ping this address or connect directly via a network cable to verify connectivity.
• Use IPMIView: Supermicro offers IPMIView, a GUI utility that can discover IPMI devices on your network and allow configuration and password management.
• Use IPMICFG or BIOS: If all else fails, follow the instructions above for resetting via IPMICFG or the BIOS method.

These methods should help you regain access, especially if the Supermicro IPMI default password doesn't work due to firmware bugs, user corruption, or previously misconfigured settings.

🛡️ Supermicro IPMI Password Reset Best Practices

A BMC can power-cycle your server, mount media and open a remote console. That makes it a very large attack surface. Supermicro's BMC security best practices guide covers this in detail. Here's the short version:

• Change the password immediately after any reset, especially if it's back to ADMIN. Do this right after first login.
• Create backup administrator accounts and store the credentials in a password manager, so you're not the only person who can get in.
• Keep BMC firmware current — several serious IPMI vulnerabilities have been fixed only through firmware updates.
• Use complex passwords and rotate them regularly.
• Put IPMI on a management VLAN or a dedicated management LAN that's separate from production traffic.
• Never expose it to the public Internet. Use a VPN or a bastion host to reach it. Blocking port 623 at the edge is a sensible baseline.

For the deeper defense-in-depth playbook — DDoS mitigation, host firewall configuration, WAF setup, and BMC/IPMI isolation architecture — our guide on bare metal server security best practices walks through all four pillars in detail. The IPMI section there covers exactly the VLAN segmentation, jump host, and Redfish-vs-legacy-IPMI decisions that pair with what you've just read.

💡 Recommended Hardware Resources

If you're upgrading your system or starting fresh, check out our latest reviews and buying guides:

• 👉 Best Supermicro Server – Top Picks for Every Use Case
• 👉 Top Supermicro Motherboards – Performance Meets Reliability
• 👉 What is a Dedicated Server? (Definition & Benefits)
• 👉 How to Choose a Bare Metal Server Provider [2026]
• 👉 VDS vs Dedicated Server: Key Differences Explained

🎯 Final Thoughts

The process of resetting the Supermicro IPMI default password is essential for any IT admin managing Supermicro hardware. Whether you're setting up new equipment, regaining access, or securing your infrastructure, this guide covers all reliable methods—from BIOS resets to remote command-line utilities.

Remember: Always secure your BMC and IPMI interfaces immediately after setup to protect against unauthorized access. If the default Supermicro IPMI password doesn't work, don't panic—there are multiple paths to recover and restore access.

Ultimately, if you plan to take advantage of IPMI features on a dedicated server, you can rely on 1Gbits dedicated servers. Whether you need to buy a dedicated server with full hardware control or want a preconfigured setup delivered fast via instant dedicated servers, you get IPMI access included and 24/7 support to help you recover from any BMC lockout.

For more server tutorials and hardware tips, stay tuned to 1Gbits Blog.

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